The autumnal weather remains mostly damp with brief glimpses of sunshine. Even Saturday was wet and blustery, so it was lovely to see fireworks from the comfort of my sofa. Although I worry about fireworks disturbing wildlife and pets, it is lovely to have light festivals to brighten the spirits once the clocks go back. At this time of year I try to find enjoyment in small things each day to counteract the gloom; the beauty of autumn helps this. My main obsession at the moment continues to be fungi. They are as difficult to identify as moths which adds to the fascination. As with the previous two weeks, I have discovered more fungi as I work.
*Once again, please do not use this post as a guide to edible mushrooms. I have managed to identify some but have placed question marks next to those I am unsure of.*
Last weeks finds were;
– The deceiver (Laccaria laccata)?
– Fried chicken mushrooms (Lyophyllum decastes)
– Suede bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus)
– Common rustgill (Xerocomus subtomentosus)?
– Porcelain fungus (Oudemansiella mucida)
– Wood blewit (Lepista nuda)
– Shaggy scalycap (Pholiota squarrosa)
– Tawney funnel cup (Lepista flaccida)?
Fungi haven’t been the only things I noticed last week. On Monday I saw two Long-tailed tits (Aegithalos caudatus) in my neighbouring Rowan (Sorbus) tree. These social birds were eating insects and spiders alongside the regular Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and Coal tit (Periparus ater) visitors.
I was surprised to see a Tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) last week. It was resting in the sunshine on Tuesday morning.
I usually see them between March and July so I relied on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website to explain this sighting. New queens can be seen feeding through to October before hibernating until February; therefore it was a female bee I saw.
Another insect I saw last week was a Feathered thorn (Colotois pennaria) moth.
Due to the presence of the feathered antenna I was able to identify it as male. The caterpillars of this moth feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs with the moths appearing between September and November.
Bee in the Moment 